Munsiple Council.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 48, 10 June 1875, Page 6

Munsiple Council.

A. special meeting of the -Council was, held on the -eyenipg of Thursday last Present : the Mayor (in the chair) and Councillors Dunne, Smith, Mason, and Stewart. The meeting was called for the purpose of striking a -rate for the enduing year, as also the transaction of oilier business. After the roll as made up had been examined, showing a total valuation »of L 5421 12-j, explanations were made to the effect that the itte for 1872 was Is per pound, 1873 2<, and 1874 Is. Cr. Smith : At Is 6d per pound the rates this year will not exceed a sum of L4OO. Ido not think we can make it less than Is 6d. Cr. Mason : How do we stand with the bunk ? The Clerk : The overdraft amounts to a sum of L 389 17s 3d. In reply to other questions, it was elicited that the income from other sources — dojr tax, licenses, &c. — would amount to L 240. On the motion bf'Cr. Smith, seconded l>y~Cr. Dunne, it was agreed the rate should be struck at Is 6d. MUNICIPAL RESERVES. Ol*. Dunne said he had been thinking over the question of these reserves, and had come to the conclusion that as tilings stood there were only two courses open for them to pursue. One of the reserves at least was known to have been Crown-granted to the Superintendent, the remainder having not yet been vested in that functionary. With regard to the first of these, their course would be to lose no time in getting a short ordinance passed through the -Provincial Council, for the purpose of authorising his Honor to hand over ihosi"! Crown-granted to the custody and control of the Municipal Council ; and with respect to the others, to urge upon him the necessity of getting the same Crown-granted with as little delay as possible, so that similar action might be taken for getting them vested in the corporation on the first opportunity. With that view he would suggest that the members for the district be at ence i communicated with on the subject. i

After the suggestion had been discussed, and various questions put and answered, it was arranged Cr. Dunne should undertake the duty of having a short bill drafted for getting- the reserves vested as proposed, and that he should communicate with the members urging them to get the same passed through the Council at its present sitting, as also to impress upon the Superintendent the necessity of getting the remainder of these reserves Crowngranted, so that a similar course might be pursued with them. On the application of Cr. Stewart, it was agreed that the use of the Council Chambers should be given to the Clutha, Kaitangata, Tapanui, and Mataura Building and Investment Society for the purpose of holding monthly meetings at a charge of LQ per annum.